The Publican Group business was quietly placed into voluntary administration at the end of last year, after selling off all of its assets to Australian Venue Co.
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission published that Richard Albarran, Cameron Shaw and Carl Huxtable of Chadwick Hall were appointed as administrators of the Publican Group in mid-December.
The first meeting for creditors of the company was held in Perth on 28 December, just a few days after the Christmas and Boxing Day holidays, to appoint a committee of inspection.
Australian Hotelier contacted the Chadwick Hall administrators who chose not to comment at this time “whilst our investigations into the affairs of the Publican Group are ongoing.”
A few creditors have reached out to Australian Hotelier and TheShout in the last week, asking for information on the current status of the group, with one stating they were “owed a lot of money”.
Publican Group asset sell-off
Before being placed into voluntary administration, The Publican Group’s nine venues were sold to Australian Venue Co – known as Dixon Hospitality at the time – who continue to expand their portfolio around the country, with recent buys in Darwin and Brisbane.
The entire portfolio acquisition from The Publican Group comprises Fargo & Co, Hopscotch, River’s Edge Events, Terra Rossa, The Park and Wharf Hotel in Melbourne; and The Aviary, Guildford Hotel and Wolf Lane in Perth. An Australian Venue Co spokesperson would not comment on the price of the buy.
Paul Waterson, group CEO of Australian Venue Co, said the venues were a welcome addition to the national portfolio.
“Publican Group’s unique concepts marry perfectly with Dixon Hospitality’s approach to maintaining individually branded venues. We are very excited to have worked together to close the deal with Publican Group.”
Australian Hotelier contacted The Publican Group executives for comment, but none had responded at the time of publication.
We will continue to report on this story as it unfolds.